About Brachytherapy

"Brachytherapy" comes from a Greek root meaning "from a short distance." It is the practice of treating cancer by placing a radioactive source(s) directly into the cancer tissue. Breast Brachytherapy can be done either by placing multiple flexible plastic catheters into or around the cancer area, or with a new FDA approved device called a Mammosite, catheter, which is a balloon inserted directly into the cavity where the lump used to be.

When multiple catheters are placed around the tumor cavity, a single radioactive source steps along the inside of each catheter treating the area at risk from the inside out. With the Mammosite, balloon, this same high activity radioactive source stops at a single position within the center of the catheter's inflated balloon, again radiating the area at risk from the inside out.

Both of these treatments are forms of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy, which does not leave the radiation in the tissues permanently. HDR brachytherapy uses a single very intense Iridium192 source to deliver the needed dose at a very high rate and in a very short time. Breast brachytherapy gives two radiation treatments per day over 5 consecutive days. The two daily treatments are separated by 6 hours, and are done on an outpatient basis. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes. Treatments are completely painless. Brachytherapy delivers in just 5 days the same highly effective radiation dose given in 7 weeks with external beams.

High Dose Rate Implants

Temporary High Dose Rate (HDR) Implants for Prostate Cancer

The majority of our treatments utilize a state-of-the-art High-Dose Rate (HDR) remote afterloader that delivers a precise dose of radiation to the specific tumor area. This type of implant refered to as a "Temporary implant" is able to deliver an extremely precise dose of radiation and has a short duration of symptoms. This treatment requires a 24-hour stay in the hospital. During this short time period, flexible catheters are placed precisely into the prostate via a procedure called "Interstitial Implantation". This procedure is performed in the operating room under local anesthetic. After recovery, the radiation is delivered via these catheters utilizing the High-Dose Rate remote afterloader in our clinic facility located within the hospital where your treatment is scheduled. The patient is not radioactive after treatment with High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy.

Temporary High-Dose Rate (HDR) Step by Step Procedures

A GammaWest Oncologist performs a comprehensive consultation in relation to the patients specific cancer diagnosis.
In the operating room (OR), the patient undergoes procedure preparation and receives anesthesia.
Fluoroscopy (X-Ray) and ultrasound are used to verify the correct catheter placement.
When procedure is complete, the patient goes to the recovery room.
Patient undergoes CT based treatment planning (simulation).
Patient is transported to a treatment booth at Gamma West Cancer Services clinic for the first treatment.
Patient is monitored overnight and receives the 2nd and 3rd treatments the next day.
After the last treatment the catheters are removed.
Patient is discharged from the Gamma West Cancer Services clinic.
Patient visits urologist in threee months and Gamma West Oncolgist for a follow-up in six months.

Permanent Seed Low Rate (LDR) Implants for Prostate Cancer

Permanent seed implants (LDR) are performed as a monotherapy. A permanent seed implant of the prostate gland utilizes radiaition sources or (seeds) that are placed directly into the prostate gland through rigid catheters (Interstitial Implantation). This procedure is performed in the hospital setting on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia. The "seeds" (smaller than a of grain of rice) are placed within and around the prostate gland. The seeds deliver a highly concentrated dose of radiaition to the tumor with a reduced dose to surrounding tissues.

Permanent Low-Dose Rate (LDR) Step by Step Procedures

A GammaWest Oncologist performs a comprehensive consultation in relation to the patients specific cancer diagnosis.
In the operating room (OR), the patient undergoes procedure preparation and receives anesthesia.
Fluoroscopy (X-Ray) and ultrasound are used to verify the correct seed placement.
When procedure is complete, the patient goes to the recovery room.
Patient is discharged from the Gamma West Cancer Services clinic.
Patient visits Gamma West office for a follow-up CT scan in one month.

Gamma West Cancer Services has the unique ability to offer both High Dose Rate (HDR) temporary prostate implants and Low Dose Rate (LDR) permanent seed prostate implants to meet various patient needs.

Gamma West Cancer Services is committed to the highest standards of excellence in Brachytherapy treatment while providing a valued service to our patients and their families

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Treatments